παρομοιάζω (paromoiazō)
paromoiazō
to resemble
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb paromoiazō means to be like or to resemble something else. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Matthew 23:27. Jesus uses this word to describe the scribes and Pharisees, comparing them to whitewashed tombs that look clean on the outside but are full of decay within.
Its meaning comes from its parts: para ("beside") and homoios ("like"). This construction emphasizes a close similarity or likeness. The sources highlight that Jesus uses this term to point out a striking resemblance between outward appearance and inner reality, or in this case, the lack thereof. Translators typically render it as "resemble" or "are like," capturing the direct comparison Jesus makes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word describes a striking resemblance between an outside appearance and an inner reality. Jesus used it to show how the religious leaders looked clean on the surface while hiding decay within. It reminds us that true faith is not about maintaining a perfect image for others, but about cultivating honesty before God.
When we feel pressure to look successful or holy to our neighbors, this passage offers relief. God sees what is hidden in the heart. He invites us to bring our messy, real selves to Him rather than performing a role. This kind of integrity brings peace that no outward display can provide.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you resemble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρομοιάζετε1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:27
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.
Jesus uses this verb to expose the gap between the Pharisees' clean appearance and their corrupt hearts, warning against hypocrisy.